Bedmaker increases staff to keep up with orders
A Taranaki company making medical beds and stretchers has had its orders double amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Howard Wright Ltd, which until recently employed 54 people, has brought on about 20 extra staff members for a second shift, chief executive Bruce Moller said.
‘‘Things have certainly picked up because of the shortage some of the markets are experiencing.’’
Howard Wright has been around since the late 1950s and New Zealand, Australia and the UK are its biggest markets.
The Bell Block-based business has added a second daytime shift and is now operating seven days a week, Moller said.
‘‘We’re trying to keep our leave time down to as short as possible so customers can get their product as quickly as possible.’’
With the second shift, the company would produce about 110 units a week, he said.
It would only be a guess as to when the demand might slow again, he said. ‘‘In some respects I hope it does taper off – it’s a good sign markets are getting on top of the situation. ’’
Howard Wright, the company’s founder who died seven years ago, was a general engineer in New Plymouth until a nurse approached him to ask if he could make a hospital bed like one she had seen overseas.
The production line is considered an essential service, but there was only a skeleton support staff on site, Moller said.
Getting components in through air freight was now more expensive because there were fewer flights, but they had containers on site to load directly.
Moller said he thanked all those who had supported the company.
‘‘Hopefully through doing that we can really support the frontline staff who are really at risk.’’